Asthma and Obesity in Greek Children
Author Information
Author(s): Priftis Kostas N, Panagiotakos Demosthenes B, Anthracopoulos Michael B, Papadimitriou Anastasios, Nicolaidou Polyxeni
Primary Institution: Penteli Children's Hospital, Greece
Hypothesis
The prevalence of asthma and allergies in 10–12 year-old boys and girls from Greece is related to their socio-demographic characteristics, level of physical activity, and dietary habits.
Conclusion
The study found associations between asthma symptoms, increased body weight, and physical activity among Greek schoolchildren.
Supporting Evidence
- The prevalence of asthma symptoms was found to be 27.6% in boys and 20.4% in girls.
- Obese children may experience more asthma symptoms than their non-obese peers.
- Physical activity levels were associated with the prevalence of asthma symptoms.
Takeaway
This study looked at Greek kids aged 10-12 to see how asthma relates to their weight and how active they are. It found that heavier kids are more likely to have asthma.
Methodology
The study used a cross-sectional survey design with questionnaires to assess asthma symptoms, dietary habits, and physical activity among schoolchildren.
Potential Biases
The high frequency of children from high socioeconomic backgrounds may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and the sample may not represent the entire population due to participation bias.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 700 schoolchildren aged 10-12 years, with 323 boys and 377 girls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.027
Confidence Interval
[1.02, 1.25]
Statistical Significance
p = 0.027
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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